Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Just piecing

Wow, I can't believe it has been almost a week since I last posted. I have not done any hand sewing this week which is very unusual for me, but that doesn't mean I have not been busy sewing. Instead I have spent time in my sewing room doing some piecing. Hopefully this time away from hand stitching will give my wrist a much need rest. I find that sometimes a pain develops when I have been doing too much appliqué or embroidery and a little break is in order.

So here are the next few blocks that I am making for the McCall's Quilting Make It Your Way Quilt Along. First up are some little stripy squares. I started using random sized strips but soon came to the conclusion that I preferred those with the 1"cut strips. So they don't all look the same but that's OK.

Then those squares were used to make the corners of some star blocks. I think this is just such a fun block.

These 4 will make the center of the quilt and you can see a few more stars that will be used. I look forward to the next part on Friday as with each section I am liking this more.

I have also started work on the last part of Soupçon. I added this black border and like how it grounds things.

The final border is made using foundation paper piecing and I am slogging through this bit. Though I have done FPP before, this technique continues to be my quilting nemesis. I just really hate doing it even though I love the results. And in this one I was questioning those results as I made my way through this mess.

So now I have finished 2 of those borders and am thinking they look OK. So back to the sewing room to finish those last 2, I can see the end in sight! Maybe then I can reward myself with a little hand sewing.

I'm with you, Heather - that paper piecing is my nemesis also. But I love how your Soupçon is turning out. So coordinated and pretty. Makes me want to start another one once I finish my first. Karen did a super job with this one. Oh, and I like your string blocks too!

I love both of your pieced projects, the relaxed whimsy of the strings and the elegance of the medallion. Sorry you have to do some FPP, I don't like it either. My brain gets all twisted around until I get with the rhythm, which happens very slowly.